Method and apparatus for segregating strands of tobacco

ABSTRACT

The method and apparatus for segregating equally weighted portions of tobacco utilizes a feeder channel having a number of variable cross section portions. Pneumatic pressure varies the cross-sectional area of the channel in accordance with the desired degree of condensing of the tobacco strand. A lower channel member is fed compressed air to assist the movement and axial compressing of the tobacco into a final portioning chamber. Converging knife blades effectively remove the desired portion of tobacco to provide the equally weighted increments. Feed measuring springs are utilized to insure control of the weighted tobacco increments.

United States Patent Brunhorn et al.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 2,308,323 l/1943 Williams ..l3l/66 R X SEGREGATING STRANDS OF ..13

, an o p TOBACCO 636,625 11/1899 Brehm ..13l/8l A X [72] Inventors: Konrad Brunhorn; Heinz Groschel, 1,916,017 6/1933 Rundell ..131/81 AUX bmh Bmmen Gemany FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] Assignee: Martin Brinkmann Aktien- 548,860 4/1932 Germany ..l3l/84 A geseusch'fi Bremen Germany 826,914 l/l938 France [22] Filed{ Dec, 4, 1970 6,414,842 6/1965 Netherlands ..131/22 A 1 1 Appl- 95,269 Primary Examiner-Aldrich F. Medbery Assistant Examiner-J. F. Pitelli [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Attorney-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak Dec. 6, 1969 Germany ..P 19 61 407.4 [57] ABSTRACT I The method and apparatus for segregating equally [52] CL gg fi gf y k weighted portions of tobacco utilizes a feeder channel 51 Int. (:1. ..A24b 07/14, A241: 01/02 gl zs g zggg zr [58] fi g i gb s x gf fif k f figf i the channel in accordance with the desired degree of condensing of the tobacco strand. A lower channel member is fed compressed air to assist the movement and axial compressing of the tobacco into a final por- [56] References cued tioning chamber. Converging knife blades effectively UNITED STATES PATENTS remove the desired portion of tobacco to providethe equally welghted increments. Feed measuring springs 460,278 9/1891 Hagen et a1 ..131 [81 A X are utilized to insure control of the weighted tobacco 520,881 6/1894 increments. 1,926,227 9/1933 2,292,420 8/1942 Wheeler ..131/21 C 13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures l4 2," l 1 11 l 12; 11 "11 11 H 7; f v v\ -I22 1 i 1 1 1 r 9 I I 15 1 2/ I23 1 1, I

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sum 1 or 3 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEGREGATING STRANDS OF TOBACCO BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating 'equal weighted portions of a tobacco strand in conjunction with a separating channel from which the tobacco strand is fed via a feeder channel. Both the measurement, separation, and discharging of the equal increments of weighted tobacco as accomplished in accordance with the method and apparatus of this invention.

2. Description of the Prior Art The best representation of the prior art over which the present method and apparatus is an improvement, is the German Pat. application No. 1,511,518. By use of the present apparatus it has been found possible to increase the separation speed of equal weighted portions of the tobacco strand and thus increase the capacity of the device in accordance with the demands of industry. The prior art use of compacting fingers has been eliminated with present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present method and apparatus of the invention permits a number of radial compacting steps to take place upon the tobacco strand after it is fed into the apparatus. This compacting takes place in the feeder channel. By providing this improvement feature over the prior art which has formally worked with transport fingers that engaged the tobacco in the feeder channel, the tobacco strand can be passed considerably faster through the apparatus of the present invention without producing an inaccurate weight or inaccurate distribution of the tobacco portions to be separated. Thus following the method and apparatus of the present invention, it becomes possible to insure a uniform density, a control of the condensation of the tobacco fiber, and preservation of the long fibric nature of the tobacco, that is preventing unnecessary stretching of the long fibers that is generally associated with a mechanical method.

By the present method and apparatus the tobacco strand is advantageously radially compacted"in the feeder channel, in several subsequent zones which permits the tobacco strand to be radially compacted several times. The radial compacting zones produce greater compaction as the tobacco strand passes from one subsequent zone to another. Between. each compacting of the tobacco strand, there is a relaxation zone. By the present method and apparatus the tobacco strand is conveyed by its own weight at least in the feeder channel in a perpendicular manner from top to bottom. This makes it possible to handle the tobacco strand in a careful manner. The relaxing of the tobacco strand after each radial compaction makes it possible to obtain a uniform density. Further, the sequential compacting of the tobacco as it passes through the feeder channel makes it possible to give the tobacco strand the desired final condensation in a careful and accurate treatment. After the tobacco passes through the feeder channel of varying diameter it is then further actually compacted in the separating channel by means of compressed air. By this feature, the tobacco strand is assured of a uniform density and condensation that ultimately permits the measurement of the weight of the tobacco strands to be separated in an efficient manner in the separating channel.

The repeated condensing in the feeder channel is accomplished in the present invention by a specially designed elastic section in at least one zone of the feeder channel and preferably in a number of sequential zones. By the appropriate application of a differential in pressure, the alteration of the cross section of the feeder zone can be advantageously accomplished to insure a compacting of the tobacco strand. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the elastic portions consist of a hose-like elastic sleeve that is connected to a fixed housing of varying cross section. The ends of the hose-like elastic sleeve are sealed in an appropriate manner to the housing thus permitting a zone between the housing 'and the elastic sleeve to which a pressure medium can be fed. Buy utilizing this particular design on the feeder channel the purposes of the present invention can be accomplished in a simple and highly economical manner while further increasing the effectiveness of the compacting of the tobacco strands.

It is obvious that due to the simple nature of the construction of the present invention that it is quitecapable of being repaired in case of damage thus insuring that the assembly line will not be stopped by lengthy and expensive repair.

The present invention further utilizes measurement springs for the purpose of measuring the weight of the tobacco portions to be separated. Generally feeder springs are associated with the measuring springs in the final measurement section of the device. Thus this enables the user to achieve a very accurate measurement of the weight of the portions of tobacco strand to be separated.

' In a preferred form of the present invention, the separating channel can be locked at its lower portion by means of swingable fingers which are arranged on a sled that works in conjunction with the measuring springs and the feeder springs. The sled can be adjusted in terms of position along the separating channel whereby the fingers when in the closed position will be provided adjacent the means for separating the tobacco portion. Thus, in contrast to the known. devices in the prior art, the present inventions can shorten the measuring time of the tobacco strand since after the discharge of the previously separated portion, the present device is capable of initiating the next measuring operation without any significant lapse of time.

As another feature of the present invention two counter moving plate knives are inserted in the separating channel to serve as a means for separating the portions of tobacco strand. The straight cutting edges of the knives are drawn symmetrically in a V shape. This permitting the tobacco strand to be uniformly reduced in size towards the middle of the tobacco portion thus permitting both a uniform compacting and insuring a smooth cutting from the main body of the tobacco. To further increase the efficiency of the cutting knives prestressed scrapers are provided on a surface of the plate knives. The scraping edges of these pre-stressed scrapers are adapted to the shape of the cutting edges of the plate knives. The pre-stressing of the scrapers insures that the plate knives will be completely stripped of any tobacco remnants whenever they are removed from the separating channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present apparatus and method can be determined from the following description in conjunction with the figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross section of the present invention; I

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line IIII in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line III- III in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a prospective view of the cutting knives and scrapers in accordance with the present invention.

. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the figures and in particular FIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention for separating portions of tobacco strand having equal weight is disclosed in which tobacco strand 11 in a known'manner enters feeder channel 12. Feeder channel 12 is connected to the separating channel 13 and has a reduced cross sectional area in the direction of strand conveyance 14. V

The feeder channel 12 is radially alterable in cross section due to the elasticportions of the zones 12,, 12 and 12 The number of zones are shown merely as an illustration of how the series associated elastic portions can be sequentially connected. It is obvious that the number of zones can be varied depending upon any special requirements. Each of the elasticzones comprise an elastic hose or sleeve 12,, 12 and 12 The elastic hoses are respectively connected to the rigid housings 12,, 12 and 12 Between each elastic sleeve and the fixed housing of. the respective elastic zones, a pressure differential can be introduced. Thus each of the elastic zones 12,, 12 and 12 can be exposed to a pressure change for the purpose of altering the radial cross section of the tobacco flow area. This pressure change can be accomplished for example by alternately applying an atmospheric pressure'such as 18, for example 1 atmosphere absolute, and a vacuum 18a of, for example 0.2 atmospheres absolute. Each of the hose-like elastic sleeves 12 12 and 12 is connected in a sealed manner with its respective rigid housings 12 12 and 12 The pressure medium can for example be advantageously air, supplied respectively and removed via bore holes 15 in the rigid housings. This is accomplished in such a manner that a collecting line 16 can be connected respectively to the bore holes 15. This connecting line 16 can be placed in connection via pressure line 17, alternately with a vacuum 18a and with atmospheric pressure 18 by the help of the slider 19. The slider 19 is activated by appropriate drive means 20.

A pressure sensor or pick-off device 21 is connected to the connecting line 16 for the purpose of activating an electric switch SIII. I

The respective elastic zones of the feeder channel can also be designed so that the elastic sleeves 12 12 i and 12 will have increasing wall thicknesses in the strand conveyance direction 14. Thus it is possible to insure that the tobacco strands 11 will be increasingly radially compacted in the direction of conveyance.

A separating channel 13 is connected to the exit of the feeder channel 12 and has a ring chamber 22 through which compressed air can be introduced into the channel in the strand conveyance direction 14.

In order to insure the appropriate amount of weight in each portion of the tobacco separator 10, measuring springs 23 with associate feed measuring springs 25 on the terminal measuring section 24are utilized. Swingable fingers 26 position on a sled 27 are capable of closing the separating channel 13. The sled 27 consists of an upper plate 27 and a lower plate 27 with connecting rods 27 The sled 27 can be adjusted in position relative to the separating channel 13. The measuring springs 23 engage at one end on the upper plate 27 of the sled 27 and at the other end on tensioning devices 28; The feed measuring springs 25 are arranged on a plate 40 which also can be adjusted relative in position to the separating channel 13. The feed measuring springs'25 can in addition be adjusted by means of the adjusting ring 34 on the plate 40. In this manner the swingable' fingers 26 can act both upon the measuring springs 23 and upon the feed measuring springs 25 since when the sled 27 is shifted downward, its upper lines). 27 also engages the feed measurement springs 25 adjacent the terminal measuring section 24 (shown in .-.-.-lines).

When the device of the present invention is in a closed position, the fingers 26 are provided immediately below the means for separating portions of the tobacco strand from the main body of tobacco. The two counter moving plate knives 30 are inserted into the separating channel 13 to effectuate the separation of a portion 10 of the tobacco.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the cutting edges 31 of the plate knives 30 are in each case formed in a symmetrical V shape from the outsides toward the middle of the plate. On the surfaces of the plate knives 30 are provided pre-stressed scrapers 32 having scraping edges 33 adapted to the shape of the cutting edges 31 of the plate knives 30. I

The separating channel 13 is designed in a conically widening fashion, downward, going in the direction of the strand conveyance 14.

The separating channel 13 carries a console 35 which is firmly attached to it. The plate knives 30, with their activating members 36, are attached to this console 35. Spindles 37 are rotatably positioned on console 35 and can be driven via a combined cog wheel and chain drive 38 by a hand crank 39 or a motor M. The spindles 37 carry the plate 40 which can be adjusted in terms of position by the spindles 37. An electric switch 811 is provided on the plate 40 and is actuated by the upper plate 27, of the sled 27. A locking lever 41 with a drive member 42 is positioned on plate 40 for the purpose of locking the upper plate 27 of the sled 27 in its illustrated lower terminal position during the separating and discharge process of measuring the tobacco portion 10. The feed springs 25 are positioned on the plate 40.

Due to the position adjustment plate 40 it is possible to alter the triggering action of the switch SI! and thus also the actuation of the measurement section. In this manner it is possible to regulate the volume of the tobacco strand portions 10. By adjusting the adjustment rings 34, it is possible to alter the position of the feed measuring springs 25 with respect to the switch SH and thus effect an adjustment in the terminal measuring stretch 24. Thus it is possible to regulate the density of the tobacco strand portions 10. The upper plate 27 of the sled 27 activates a fixedly arranged electrical switch S1 in its upper position.

The fingers 26 are swingably positioned on the lower plate 27 of the sled 27 by means of shafts 43. The shafts 43 in each case are under a tension force from a rotating spring 44 which biases the fingers 26 into an open perpendicular position relative to the separating channel 13 as disclosed in the shadow lines in FIG. 1.

When the fingers 26 are in a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 1, they are held via the arresting arms 48 by means of a lever 45 which is drawn into the arresting position by the tension of the traction spring 46 as illustrated in FIG. 3. For releasing the fingers 26, the lever 45 is swung by means of a drive member 47 in such a manner that the arresting arms 48, arranged on the shafts 43, will be released. The shafts 43 with the fingers 26 are then swung into the open position of the fingers due to the biasing of the rotating springs 44. The arrangement of these parts are best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Beneath the plate knives 30, compressed air can be introduced via a ring channel 49 for the purposes of aiding the ejecting of the tobacco strand portions which ultimately fall upon a conveyor device 50. As can be best seen in FIG. 2, the shafts 43 carry an arm 51 which protrudes toward the outer side of the separating channel 13 and which can cooperate with the roller 52.

In the operation of the method and device of the present invention, the tobacco strands 11 are supplied from above into the feeder channel 12 in the direction of arrow 14. The plate knives 30 are in a drawnout position, that is to say, they are outside the separating channel 13. The elastic zones 12,, 12 and 12 of the feeder channel 12 are alternately charged with atmospheric pressure and a vacuum of approximately 0.2 atmospheres absolute by the appropriate movement of the slider 19. Thus the tobacco strands 11 are pressed together in an increasingly radial direction as they are conveyed through the elastic zones. At the initial operation of the device the feeder channel 12 and the separating channel 13 are completely filled with tobacco. The tobacco strand 11 exerts a pressure against the fingers 26 which protrude below the separating channel 13 and in the closed position the fingers 26 move the sled 27 downward.

The downward motion of the tobacco strand 11 in the separating channel 13 is partly due to the action of the compressed air which is supplied via the ring chamber 22. The compressed air is supplied at the moment when the atmospheric pressure 18 fills the elastic sleeves 12,", 12 and 12,-," of the elastic zones 12,,

measuring section 24, so that the feed measuring springs 25 are compressed. When the upper plate 27 completes its travel through the terminal measuring section 24, the switch 811 is activated by the upper plate 27 The fingers 26 are now in their lower .-closed position as illustrated in FIG. 1. The switch S1] influences the activating members 36 of the plate knives 30 which then enter the separating channel 13 and cut off the appropriate portion of tobacco strands 10. At the same time, upper plate 27 of sled 27 is arrested by the locking lever 41. The drive member 47 swings the lever 45 and in this manner the fingers 26 are released and swung into the perpendicular, illustrated open position under the effect of the rotating springs 44. Simultaneously compressed air is introduced via the ring channel 49 below the closed plate knives 30 into the separating channel 13 and this compressed air acts upon the separated portion of tobacco strands 10 and forces this portion of tobacco downward and onto the conveyor belt 50. The compressed air which is introduced at the beginning of the separating channel 13 via the ring chamber 22 is correspondingly shut off. The switch 811 can activate the vacuum on the elastic sleeves 12," 12," and 12 After the tobacco is ejected, the locking lever 41 is unlocked in a time delayed fashion, which permits the measuring springs 23 to pull the sled 27 upward. To speed up the movement of the sled 27 into its upper operative position, it is possible to simultaneously activate the stressing devices 28. These stressing devices 28, for example consist of a piston drive capable of upward movement which additionally stresses the measuring springs 23 so that the springs will increase the sled 27 movement into the upper operative position.

As the sled 27 is moved upward, arms 51 of the shafts 43 cam on the rollers 52 and then roll off the rollers with the result of the fingers 26 are bias against the action of the rotating springs 44 into the horizontal closed position. Once in this horizontal closed position they are arrested by the lever 45 due to the action of the traction spring 46. The lever 45 having been earlier released by the drive member 47.

When the sled 27 is in its upper operative position, its upper plate 27 activates the switch SI which as a result releases the effect of the stressing device 28 so that the measuring springs 23 again are under the normal tension. The switch SI furthermore shuts off the blowout air which is introduced via the ring chamber 49.

The switch S111 is activated by the pressure pickoff 21 at the moment the elastic sleeves 12,", 12 and 12 are subjected to atmospheric pressure 18. This inturn triggers the compressed air which is introduced through the ring chamber 22.

While the above describes the preferred form of the present invention, it is obvious that the method and apparatus can be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and therefore the method and device of the present invention should be measured in light of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for segregating equal increments of loose tobacco strands from a source of tobacco comprising:

a. a feeder channel for receiving the loose tobacco strands;

b. means for radially compacting the loose tobacco strands as it travels through the feeder channel comprising at least one elastic sleeve and a source of pressure differential for varying the relative size of the elastic sleeve whereby the flow area of the feeder channel is varied; and

c. means for separating the compacted tobacco into equal increments.

2. A device as in claim 1 where relaxation means are provided after the elastic sleeve.

3. A device as in claim 1 including means for compressing the loose tobacco in the axial flow direction after it is compacted radially.

4. A device as in claim 3 where the means for axial compression includes a source of air pressure and means for introducing the air pressure against the' tobacco.

5. A device as in claim 3 where the means for separating the compacted tobacco includes measuring springs.

6. A device as in claim 5 where the means for separating the compacted tobacco further includes the flow of compressed tobacco include a pair of pivotable levers.

11. A device for segregating equally weighted portions of a tobacco strand, said device being provided with a feeder channel means, a separating channel and means for supplying the tobacco strand and means for measuring, separating and discharging the portions to be segregated wherein the feeder channel means is elastically variable in cross-section at zones thereof, said device further including a ring nozzle means ad-' jacent to the feeder channel means, said nozzle means operating intermittently in the direction of conveyance of the tobacco, the operation being stopped upon the enlargement of the crosssection of the feeder channel means and started on reduction of the cross-section of the feeder channel means.

12. A method for supplying tobacco to a processing device wherein the tobacco is successively compacted during its forward movement in the direction of flow through a feeder channel each compaction comprising alternately radially compressing and expanding a zone of the feeder channel over 360' of the feeder channel and axially compressing by means of an air stream the tobacco in a compression zone adjacent the feeder channel, the axial compression occurring when the feeder channel is compressed and ceasing where the feeder channel is expanded.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the tobacco is moved downwards in the feeder channel through its own weight by .vertical guidance from above. 

1. A device for segregating equal increments of loose tobacco strands from a source of tobacco comprising: a. a feeder channel for receiving the loose tobacco strands; b. means for radially compacting the loose tobacco strands as it travels through the feeder channel comprising at least one elastic sleeve and a source of pressure differential for varying the relative size of the elastic sleeve whereby the flow area of the feeder channel is varied; and c. means for separating the compacted tobacco into equal increments.
 2. A device as in claim 1 where relaxation means are provided after the elastic sleeve.
 3. A device as in claim 1 including means for compressing the loose tobacco in the axial flow direction after it is compacted radially.
 4. A device as in claim 3 where the means for axial compression includes a source of air pressure and means for introducing the air pressure against the tobacco.
 5. A device as in claim 3 where the means for separating the compacted tobacco includes measuring springs.
 6. A device as in claim 5 where the means for separating the compacted tobacco further includes cutting blades.
 7. A device as in claim 6 where the cutting blades have a V-notch.
 8. A device as in claim 7 where scrapers are mounted on the cutting blades.
 9. A device as in claim 8 where means connected to the movement of the cutting blade control the compacting of the tobacco in the radial and axial flow direction.
 10. A device as in claim 8 where means for stopping the flow of compressed tobacco include a pair of pivotable levers.
 11. A device for segregating equally weighted portions of a tobacco strand, said device being provided with a feeder channel means, a separating channel and means for supplying the tobacco strand and means for measuring, separating and discharging the portions to be segregated wherein the feeder channel means is elastically variable in cross-section at zones thereof, said device further including a ring nozzle means adjacent to the feeder channel means, said nozzle means operating intermittently in the direction of conveyance of the tobacco, the operation being stopped upon the enlargement of the cross-section of the feeder channel means and started on reduction of the cross-section of the feeder channel means.
 12. A method for supplying tobacco to a processing device wherein the tobacco is successively compacted during its forward movement in the direction of flow through a feeder channel each compaction comprising alternately radially compressing and expanding a zone of the feeder channel over 360* of the feeder channel and axially compressing by means of an air stream the tobacco in a compression zone adjacent the feeder channel, the axial compression occurring when the feeder channel is compressed and ceasing where the feeder channel is expanded.
 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the tobacco is moved downwards in the feeder channel through its own weight by vertical guidance from above. 